The Tale of the Grow Walk .Hunh?

[scottny]

I don't like the trams either.

I would have asked the girls to move.

Love the Star Tours pics.

I am happy the hat is leaving. I find it such an eyesore.

That is a lot of strollers. LOL.

Nice pics on "One mans Dream".

Nice pics in "GMR" but still do not like the ride. LOL.

 

[Beth D]

Great updates!

I love the pearl diving at Sea World! I always had to do that when we would go to SW in Ohio way back when…

You've shown me several things I never knew were in DHS. I've only been there once, and we never did the tour or the movies ride. And I guess I never will…

Don't you love evening pool time? We bring drinks down to the pool at my parents timeshare. Nothing like some hot tub time and an adult beverage to relax you in the PM.

Also - the new ride at CP for next year is going to be a floorless coaster. So you can still ride one since you missed Krakken! I am still volunteering DS for Claire's riding partner...

 

[jenseib]

The GMR is going away? I hadn't heard that one. Now I am glad we rode it in February.

You got so many great shots while riding the GMR!

We did the backlot tour in 2013 as I had heard it was going to close. So glad we did it one last time. And I had no idea they had stopped doing the "live" part in the beginning.

It's been a rumor for a while...but I think it will be more of a change than a closure.....but from what I have read...it sounds like DHS is trying to get away from the Studios theme and more of an "adventure"....whatever that means.
I have since seen pictures after our trip where the first part was in full swing, so maybe because it was so busy during our time there they didn't do the full show. I have gone in years past where that area was just a walk through too. I really never was a fan of that part of the show anyways.

Great pictures in the Great Movie Ride. I have not heard anything about it closing. We were told on our Backstage Safari that Backlot tour, Indiana and Lights Motor Action were closing for the new Star Wars area.

I'm sorry we missed the Backlot one last time.

Interesting. From what I have heard Disney won't confirm Indy, but I believe it will close too. I am excited to see what the Star Wars land brings.

Playing catch-up over here now......

I don't think I commented on the Ariel photos. How nice to see that genuine smile on her face. So glad she had a nice visit with one of her favorites.

It's nice when I get a real smile from her.

I think the clowns you saw in Storybook Circus are the "Giggle Gang" that I read in the past week or so were just let go. I love live entertainment in the parks and hate to see any of it go...... even if it is a bunch of clowns.

I bet that is it. So they got the boot hunh? I must say I didn't think they looked all that exciting but we didn't stop long enough to watch either.

I love the Chip shots over by the Beast's castle. I really wish we had gotten to do these on our last trip.

I always love finding different magic shots. There are still some I have yet to get...and who knows if I will if I stop getting memory maker.

Wow! Those lines to get into Sea World look long. Did it take you long to get in?

Not too long at all. It really did move fairly fast.

The ray pool has always been one of our favorites.



You should have done the other ride though (Journey to Atlantis???) It's been a while since we've been there but I seem to remember it being similar to Splash Mountain.

I have heard from others that it is similar to Splash. To me it looked like you got wet and i surely didn't want to get wet.

Too funny that you didn't want to tell Claire about the treasure hunt. I probably would have done the same thing. You just know how that would go, don't you? And with limited time, it would just be so hard to still get everything done.

I knew that would be the only thing on her mind....and when that happens she gripes and complains until we do it.

Discovery Cove looks amazing. We have never been, but toyed with it years ago. The price scared me away then, and I'm sure it would scare me even more now! Thanks for the tour though. Just so lush and beautiful.

it was so beautiful

I bow to your greatness for riding Manta 3 times! I've never done that one, and am not sure that I will. Tell Claire I'm quite impressed with her new daredevil status!

I was very impressed with Claire too. We'll see if she keeps that daredevil status next time we go.

And not only should you have bought one of those popcorn buckets but you should have bought one for me too! Those are just too darn cute!

I know. I really should've. They were adorable.

Poor Claire, her mom making her wait so long to find the bathroom........ That last photo of her before you stopped is hysterical! She sure doesn't hide her feelings very well.

That face does show it doesn't it. It's the "come on...hurry up! I gotta go!" look.

You are TORTURING me with those food shots from the Cheesecake Factory. Looks like it was worth the wait.

MMM. I love it!


I loved your shots of "One Man's Dream". Can you believe in all these years we have never gone in there? We definitely need to make time for that.

You have never gone in there? Wow! I am shocked. I would like to spend more time in there to roam and enjoy.

And I had no idea Scarlett's BBQ gown was on display at DHS! I'm so sorry I never got to see that.

thats my favorite gown of hers.

Bummer that Indy was full. I hope you get a chance to do it again before it closes.

I haven't heard a closing date, but knowing Disney they will just pop it out one day and say it will close in a week or something like that.

I know a lot of people are excited that the hat is going. I sort of have mixed feelings though. We never saw the park without it and I think the earful tower doesn't cut it as a park icon.

I have mixed feelings too. I have really grown used to it and the tower....what a joke.

 

[jenseib]

It was great that you managed to do some of the older attractions. I wondered if Great Movie Ride was for the chop as soon as I heard that the hat is going. I had heard in the past that the hat was built due to a contract dispute with the new owners of the The Chinese Theatre back in 2000.

Corinna

I had heard that too and I have heard that most of it is MGM stuff and that contract is over...but I don't know how that all works. It will be interesting to see if they revamp it or not.

Love that you take so many pictures on the attractions. I'm always enjoying them too much to have the camera out. But I know I can look at yours!

Actually reading your report about HS is making me sad. I really fell in love with that park over the years. It's the feel of the park I like, vintage Hollywood. I do admit they need new fresh attractions but I will miss the ones they are closing. I did get to experience the Backlot Tour on its very last day of operation. I ALWAYS watch Indy. The Great Movie Ride is neat with all the movie scenes. I won't miss LIGHTS MOTORS ACTION though.

I am actually starting to like it better over the years. It was always my least favorite park but I am starting to enjoy my time there now, but lately so many things have closed and I bet it will have a bit of a grey period for a bit before it's fully revamped.
I could care less about L<M<A too!

Jen, I am finally all caught up. Love the pictures of Claire. She is all grown up since the first trip report I saw her in. Cant wait for more. It is getting me excited for my trip in January.

She really is growing up. I told her she wasn't allowed but she didn't listen one bit!
I wish I was going in January!

It's taking me forever to catch up because I was already behind before I left on vacation.

I am super behind again....as usual. I got caught up with most about 4 days ago or so and then all of a sudden I was several behind and I don't see getting caught up in the next few days either.


I am almost through the Seaworld update.

You are one crazy momma for going on Manta! Holy crap! I really don't know if I am as brave as you! And you didn't just ride once, but three times???? You are my new ride hero!

I was crazy. I can't believe either of us did it that many time in a row either.


I loved all the pictures of the dolphins. How amazing! You got some great shots of them and the flamingoes.

Thanks

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful pics. What a wonderful birds eye view of Seaworld. It looks like such an amazing park.

And woo hoo for complimentary tickets and a tour of Discovery Cove. I have heard that place is amazing!

Free is always good!

Lastly, I love all the trash sculptures. They are absolutely fantastic. I have got to get there.

They were really well done, but it was sad that all that was found in the ocean.

I don't like the trams either.

I would have asked the girls to move.

Love the Star Tours pics.

I am happy the hat is leaving. I find it such an eyesore.

That is a lot of strollers. LOL.

Nice pics on "One mans Dream".

Nice pics in "GMR" but still do not like the ride. LOL.

it was so busy that week. I really have no desire to go again when crowds are that heavy.
I like the hat, but I can see why many think it is an eyesore. it is in a strange spot for 1.

Great updates!

I love the pearl diving at Sea World! I always had to do that when we would go to SW in Ohio way back when…

We never did it back then...my mom wouldn't let me.

You've shown me several things I never knew were in DHS. I've only been there once, and we never did the tour or the movies ride. And I guess I never will…

You have to try and get back there and at least do the things that are still open.

Don't you love evening pool time? We bring drinks down to the pool at my parents timeshare. Nothing like some hot tub time and an adult beverage to relax you in the PM.

Actually I am not a big pool person. I do like the hot tub though. This weekend I am taking Claire and a friend to Frankenmuth and spending the night at Zehnders Splash Village. I told her that she would be finding me in the hot tub. I don't really like slides and such either, but I know she will enjoy the place. I often do find if I have a friend with me though I enjoy sitting in a pool or hot tub a lot more.

Also - the new ride at CP for next year is going to be a floorless coaster. So you can still ride one since you missed Krakken! I am still volunteering DS for Claire's riding partner...

Oh wow. I haven't kept up with what they have been doing the past few years....mainly because it is all too scary for me.

 

[jenseib]

Our tram soon arrived and I tried to take a picture as the doors were lifting open.



I took pictures along the way.





It has been several years since I have ridden this and I think this was Claire’s first time. Glad we got it in before it closed.

And the first “icon” of Hollywood Studios, back when it was MGM. And it is now going to be the icon once again from what I have read.



I love seeing this stuff and we whizzed by way to fast to see much.













A look over at Lights, Motor, Action, which I believe is going bye bye too.







And then we entered Catastrophe Canyon. The last time I rode this it was not working and we got routed around the back and our tour guide was making stuff up as we went along. It was kind of funny, but it felt like I was stuck on the ride for way too long. One thing that was different this time as well….most of this was told to us by an automated voice and not much by a live actual person.



Claire was intrigued by all of the happenings.













Claire squealed with glee as we got a few drops on us.





This did not seem as impressive to me as it did 15 years or so ago. I am glad we rode it one last time, but I am not sad it’s closed.

 

[jenseib]

This is the backside of the canyon. Not very pretty is it? They told us how many gallons of water is pumped for that scene, which I no long remember but I do remember it was a lot. And of course they recycle the water over and over.















We finished up and exited the ride. I took a shot of LMA as we passed by. I have only seen the show once and I wasn’t a fan.



We moved on. Claire was dead set that we would do the drawing class once I told her about it so we headed back that way to see if we could get in.







We shuffled our way there. It really was so hard to get anywhere in the parks with the crowds.

We found where the class was and was told one was going to start in about 20 minutes or so but it was full, but we could stand in the standby line for now and most likely we could get a spot without a desk. Claire said yes and I figured we better give it a try now. As we stood there the large family in front of us left. YAY! We pretty much were guaranteed to get in now. Then some people from the inside roped off waiting area left and Claire and I were let in.



We talked with people as we waited which made the time go faster. We were standing as it was pretty full in there, but actually close to the door as that was the only area for us to be comfortably.

One family was telling us that a store at MK had the next generation of Disney Infinity packets. They told us they were hidden behind the current ones so to look further back. Of course that was all Claire could think about now. I told her we would try to get back there, but it was no guarantee on that one.

We also saw a family playing a game with their phones. It was basically a version of Headbanz. One person held the phone to their forehead and everyone would give him clues of what the word was and that person would have to guess. Claire and I played silently along. We ended up seeing lots of people playing this for the rest of the trip. What a good idea to help waste the time.

Finally it was time to go in and we actually got front and center.







Claire was excited and ready!



We were drawing Tigger today.



We really enjoyed doing this and Claire was watching the instructor like he was God. I think this might be something we have to do every trip now.
This is Claire’s finished drawing.



I thought she did an EXCELLENT job.

And here is mine…I actually forgot to add his whiskers, but I did add them later.



When we left we had to browse the gift shop as Claire had lots of money still burning a hole in her pocket. She ended up choosing 2 drawing books and has really enjoyed them and it was a very good purchase.

We headed out and took a small break and I took a picture of her with her picture.



She also had to look through her new books to see what she wanted to draw first.

We moved on. We were getting hungry and went looking for lunch. I was still mad at myself for scheduling the Toy Story FP’s for later than I thought. I had planned to head to MK later today and this was going to make us go even later than planned…Oh well.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that you managed to get in the animation class. Claire's Tigger is amazing. I did this for the first time at Disneyland in 2012. Now, I can't normally draw to save my life, but I was rather pleased with my Pluto. I really want to have a go at doing a class that draws Stitch.

Corinna

 

[vleeth]

I agree that backlot has gone down over the years and I won't really miss it, I just wish they would tell us what is coming.

That is one great looking Tigger. She did a really good job. And yours isn't bad either.

I see the one book in her lap, what is the other one? I'm having trouble with Hope's Christmas list this year. There just isn't much she wants.

 

[JKSWonder]

I love the drawing class. When we took ours, we were told the animator could do three different characters and we could vote. However, my husband and son failed to raise their hands at all, so we ended up drawing Stitch, which was not our first choice. We would have won our choice (which I believe was Rapunzel) had they done so, because we only lost out by one vote.

That's what you get for not voting....you get Stitch!

 

[jenseib]

I am glad that you managed to get in the animation class. Claire's Tigger is amazing. I did this for the first time at Disneyland in 2012. Now, I can't normally draw to save my life, but I was rather pleased with my Pluto. I really want to have a go at doing a class that draws Stitch.

Corinna

She did so well with her drawing. I really was impressed.

I agree that backlot has gone down over the years and I won't really miss it, I just wish they would tell us what is coming.

That is one great looking Tigger. She did a really good job. And yours isn't bad either.

I see the one book in her lap, what is the other one? I'm having trouble with Hope's Christmas list this year. There just isn't much she wants.

I think one was more about the main characters and one was on princesses I think. We need to get them out again. I actually want to try some of them too.

I love the drawing class. When we took ours, we were told the animator could do three different characters and we could vote. However, my husband and son failed to raise their hands at all, so we ended up drawing Stitch, which was not our first choice. We would have won our choice (which I believe was Rapunzel) had they done so, because we only lost out by one vote.

That's what you get for not voting....you get Stitch!

I heard people often vote but because it was so busy they didn't give us the option. We were told what it was as we walked in. I was fine with that and Claire didn't know that there could be a choice.

 

[jenseib]

We found a photopass photographer and got a few shots.



You may notice I am wearing a jacket. Today was a bit cooler than it had been earlier in our trip, but by the end of the day I had wished I had worn shorts.









I like this one of Claire.





I asked if she could do any magic shots and she took Claire off to the side.



I always love the balloon shot.





I took one of Claire posing.



We looked her for lunch but the line was long and Claire didn’t see anything to her liking.



I keep hearing the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is going to close for good….but it is still there.



Claire wanted pizza….such a shocker…I know. I have never been to Pizza Planet and I couldn’t even picture where is was in my mind and the map wasn’t helping me and I asked a CM…and I was about 10 steps away from it…of course!



The line was out the door, but it moved pretty fast and we were soon inside.







We decided what we wanted and we planned to share again.



We got the pepperoni pizza and a salad. We looked for a seat but it was packed in there so we headed up the steps. There was a boy waiting on the steps, I assume he was waiting for his family who maybe were in line?....and he was sitting smack dab in the middle and didn’t want to move so we basically climbed over him. LOL.



I started with the salad and Claire dug into the pizza.



Claire ended up eating 3 of the pieces of pizza and I got one and she complained about that. She told me the salad should’ve filled me. It didn’t! It used to be that we could easily share meals and be full, but she is getting bigger and I think those days have passed now.

While sitting there I was playing with my phone and looking at the app…..the app that was not working. Our Toy Story FP was to open up very soon. I think started looking through my phone pictures and realized I had made a screen shot a few days earlier of all my FP’s and guess what? My TSM FP was for earlier in the day. I KNEW I had planned it earlier. I was raging mad! I had now missed the FP time….though the app showed it as opening soon.

We headed out and made our way over to TSM. If they denied me my entrance I was going to raise some holy heck. So from what I can figure, this FP time changed at least 3 possibly FOUR times on its own on the app today. NOT GOOD Disney!



We headed out and rushed over to see if they would let us in.

 

[KatMark]

I'm caught up...but too much to catch up on. But I have to say that Claire did an awesome job on Tigger!!!! Loved all your pics.

 

[jenseib]

I'm caught up...but too much to catch up on. But I have to say that Claire did an awesome job on Tigger!!!! Loved all your pics.

Thanks Kathy....I thought she did too.

 

[jenseib]

I am heading out of town for the next few days. I originally was supposed to have a surgery tomorrow but our insurance plan this year sucks and we found out 2 weeks ago it wasn't going to cover it so we are postponing it till next year sometime and yes we will be changing to a different plan next year....and Skip better listen to me when he chooses a sucky plan.

So since that was canceled I decided to take Claire and her friend to Frankenmuth MI to Zehnders Splash village for the night. We go up as a family every year for their chicken dinners and my family had already planned on going Sat for that, so we decided we would go up and have a little get away and some fun. You would think we were going to Disney they way Claire and her friend have been talking about this 1 night trip.

 

[KatMark]

Have a great time!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Have fun on your non-Disney overnighter!

There will come a time again that you can share meals again. Mom Morgan and I can easily order 2 meals and an extra drink and be very happy. This happens when they learn they don't have to eat the whole pizza, a cup of salad is tasty as well. And if you have a little extra room then share a dessert later!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the magic shot with the balloons.I hope that you managed to use the Fastpass. I hope you all enjoy your trip.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Sorry I haven't been back here since our weekend trip. I have been super crazy busy. I will try to update tonight, if not my plan is first thing tomorrow morning. I keep trying to get at this and then I get busy with work and life. Tuesdays are now a day I get next to nothing done. I am watching Gracie while Paige goes to school on Tuesdays and she does not like to sit on her own rear much the last 2 weeks. And then dance in the evening, so I am constantly rushed and just getting work done on Tues is next to impossible.

 

[MEK]

I am ready backwards now trying to get caught up!

Love the balloon magic shot. It's one of my favorites.

I remember when Nick and I used to be able to split meals. Imagine that Claire thought you were only going to eat a salad. Yeah right! I am always starving and Disney and there is no way a salad would ever cut it.

Yay for getting to draw Tigger. The classic characters are definitely the best!

Catastrophe Canyon. *sigh* I am going to miss it in a weird sort of way.

 

[jenseib]

Have a great time!

Thanks

Have fun on your non-Disney overnighter!

There will come a time again that you can share meals again. Mom Morgan and I can easily order 2 meals and an extra drink and be very happy. This happens when they learn they don't have to eat the whole pizza, a cup of salad is tasty as well. And if you have a little extra room then share a dessert later!!

Some days we still can share..I guess she is just more hungry in Disney. LOL.

I love the magic shot with the balloons.I hope that you managed to use the Fastpass. I hope you all enjoy your trip.

Corinna

I love that Magic shot too.

I am ready backwards now trying to get caught up!

Love the balloon magic shot. It's one of my favorites.

I remember when Nick and I used to be able to split meals. Imagine that Claire thought you were only going to eat a salad. Yeah right! I am always starving and Disney and there is no way a salad would ever cut it.

Yay for getting to draw Tigger. The classic characters are definitely the best!

Catastrophe Canyon. *sigh* I am going to miss it in a weird sort of way.

I am so behind as always. I got caught up for like 2 days and then it all went to pieces after that. I am still doing morning work right now and it's 2:20 LOL!

Yeah a small salad was not going to cut it for me.
It really was fun doing the drawing class. I am so glad we tried it out.